"It cannot be", Aragorn said as he looked at Gandalf.
"Forgive me", Legolas said.
He bowed as well as Gimli. Aragorn and Solatiri looked at him in disbelief.
"I mistook you for Saruman", Legolas said.
"I am Saruman", Gandalf said. "Or rather Saruman as he should've been."
"You fell", Aragorn said trying to understand how this could be possible.
"Through fire…and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me…and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I had been sent back until my task is done."
"Gandalf", Aragorn said with a smile.
"Gandalf?" Gandalf repeated confused before remembering. "Yes. That was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey."
Gandalf", Gimli smiled.
"I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now…at the turn of the tide."
"Now what do we do?" Solatiri asked. "Are we still searching for Merry and Pippin?"
"One stage of your journey is over", Gandalf said as he began leading them. "Another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed."
"Edoras?" Solatiri said.
"That is no short distance", Gimli said.
"We hear of trouble in Rohan", Aragorn explained. "It goes ill with the king."
"Yes and it will not be easily cured", Gandalf said.
"Then we have run all this way for nothing?" Gimli asked.
"At least we tried", Solatiri said. "That's what matters most."
"Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank tree-infested…"
He stopped as the air began to fill with the creaking of wood. The trees were once again speaking.
"I mean, charming", Gimli corrected himself. "Quite charming forest."
"It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn", Gandalf said. "A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains."
"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend", Aragorn started. "You still speak in riddles."
Solatiri giggled as she saw the smile on Gandalf and Aragorn's faces. It was the first time she had smiled in days. It felt rather nice to smile again.
"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days", Gandalf said. "The Ents are going to wake up…and find that they are strong."
"Strong?" Gimli asked like what he said was a joke. "Oh, that's good."
"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf."
"I suggest we leave before the trees become more angered", Solatiri said.
"I agree", Gandalf nodded leading the way. "Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they're more safe than you're about to be, Master Dwarf!"
"This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one", Gimli murmured.
They continued walking until they made their way out of Fangorn forest. They found their horses Hasselford and Arod waiting for them.
"Do you have a horse, Gandalf?" Solatiri asked.
"Of course", he answered.
Everyone watched as he whistled. The sound echoed across the plains until they saw a horse coming their way. It had pure white hair and moved more graceful than any horse that had ever been seen.
"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell", Legolas said.
"Mearas?" Solatiri said. "You mean the wild horses similar to Elves? I thought those were just a myth."
Gandalf smiled as he patted the horse's neck.
"Shadowfax", he said. "He is the lord of all horses…and has been my friend through many dangers."
Solatiri mounted Hasselford, riding with Aragorn while Gimli rode with Legolas. They turned south and rode at full speed to Edoras. Solatiri looked away feeling sad inside. She would have to face her father again once they arrived.
Solatiri found no rest that night. Half of the group appeared to be at ease. Legolas and Gimli slept soundly. Aragorn and Gandalf appeared restless as well. Solatiri looked to see Gandalf standing away from the group, looking toward Mordor.
She stood and joined him.
"Something's keeping you restless", he said.
"Gandalf…what is it like…to die?"
"Death is just another path...one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass. And then you see it…white shores... and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise."
"Will Boromir be there waiting for me?" Solatiri asked.
Gandalf looked at her and smiled.
"You love him with all your heart", he said. "It was obvious he loved you in return. Yes…if his love for you is true, he will be there waiting."
Solatiri smiled feeling hope inside her. She will be with Boromir again one day
"Rest now, Solatiri", Gandalf said. "You need it much more than you think. Tomorrow you will face the inevitable and be reunited with your family."
"How did you know?" she asked.
"Theoden is a friend of mine", he said. "What your father did not rest well with him, but he had no say. You are not his daughter, so he has no say over your life."
Solatiri sighed as she went back to the campfire and laid down to sleep.